Do you have a desire to explore an international locale? What to see where your bananas, coffee, and almonds come from? And at the same time, meet your Contemporary Global Issues Bacc Core course out of the way? Then the hybrid course FOR365 – Costa Rica may be your ticket to learning and adventure.
FOR 365, Issues in Natural Resources Conservation, explores current and historical human uses of resources and how we can develop sustainable solutions to resource consumption. This Hybrid Course (part online, part face-to-face) will be online for the first nine weeks of the term. Then, grab your passport, pack your warm weather wear, and head to the airport. The class will meet face-to-face in Costa Rica, arriving in the Central Valley, traveling to the Caribbean Coastal Plain, up and around the volcanic spine of Central America to the Pacific Coast. Along the way we will explore fruit and coffee plantations, explore the mysteries of the Cloud Forests (Bosques Nubosos), and learn about sea turtle conservation. En route we will also dive into the global perspectives of the environmental, economic, and social issues that worked on during the online class portion.
This course will be an affordable way to knock out some of your required credits, have a meaningful international experience (not a resort vacation) and a good bit of fun, and maybe ignite your inner passion for Natural Resource Conservation. Most of the costs of the class and the trip are allowable educational expenses and covered by financial aid. Intrigued? Contact the instructor Ron Reuter (ron.reuter@oregonstate.edu).
The course is planned expecting students to arrive at San Jose International Airport in the central valley and depart from Liberia International Airport on the Pacific Coast. Students that are planning to arrive prior to the in-country component or depart later than the end of class are responsible for being in San Jose for the first night of the group program and/or must arrange their on transportation for after the last day of the program.
We will be staying at a combination of hotels and ecological study areas. The hotels will likely be doubles and triples and the study areas will have bunk-style lodging. Depending on enrollment, there may be an option to pay extra for a single room for a few of the nights of lodging.
The program dates are December 12-22, 2013.
TO APPLY:
All OSU students are required to complete the OSU Online Study Abroad Application. By completing this online application, a non-refundable, $50 application fee will be charged to your OSU student account.
In addition to submitting this online application, please respond to the essay prompts below. All essays should be saved into one PDF document titled with the applicants first and last name. Email the PDF to Ron Reuter (Ron.Reuter@oregonstate.edu) by midnight (PST) on June 23, 2013.
1. Please write a brief autobiographical sketch that includes your personal history/family background, where you currently live, your work/educational experience, previous travel experience and other factors which have influenced your personal development. (approximately 1 page)
2. FOR 365 (Issues in Natural Resources Conservation) is offered on campus in Bend in addition to being a hybrid course. This Costa Rica Hybrid Course is the first time that FOR 365 will have an international travel component. Please explain why you decided to participate in this special section of FOR 365 and how you will actively contribute to this course. (approximately 1 page)
3. This course is a hybrid course that requires commitment to online learning and self-pacing to ensure success. While the Costa Rica component is a highlight, the first 9 weeks of the course are vital to making Costa Rica a meaningful experience. Explain your experience with online learning communities and how much time you expect to commit to this course during the term. What are your expectations for how this course will impact your OSU education and professional goals? (approximately 1 page)
